Alumni establish physical therapy endowment

In
2005, the NAU Physical Therapy Alumni Association established an endowed
scholarship in honor of a professor, Dr. Carl DeRosa. The “DeRosa
Partners in PT Endowment” has supported numerous NAU physical therapy students
who are chosen because of their belief in helping others, a value that DeRosa’s
students saw in him. This gift is a tremendous honor for Dr. DeRosa, and it
portrays the importance of the growing culture of philanthropy at Northern
Arizona University.

Professor honored by students

Almost thirty years ago, Dr. Carl DeRosa helped establish the physical therapy program at Northern Arizona University, the first program of its kind in
Arizona. Additionally, as co-owner of the DeRosa Physical Therapy Practice,
DeRosa has been able to offer hands-on work opportunities to his students. His dedication to producing excellent practitioners in this growing medical field is exemplary, and exactly what inspired his alumni to establish his endowment.

“This gift is one of the greatest tributes of my career,” DeRosa says. “Knowing that former students would choose to recognize me while we’re still in the trenches together is an enormous honor.”

Because of the growing popularity of physical therapy, Northern Arizona University has expanded its nationally renowned programs and recently opened a satellite location at the Phoenix Biomedical Campus. This campus will work to develop the
healthcare professionals needed by the state, and now even more students can
work with highly skilled faculty and develop the tight-knit relationships that
make the program so reputable.

"In physical therapy, the students are professional colleagues,” DeRosa explains. “We see them as peers. They’re the future of our profession, and the stronger they become, the better it is for all of us who work in this field."

Giving goes full circle

Thanks to the contributions of excellent faculty like Dr. Carl DeRosa, who
supports the scholarship created in his honor, the College of Health and Human Services can produce accomplished practitioners ready to approach the nation’s
healthcare challenges. The Campaign for NAU provides an opportunity to honor NAU’s
remarkable faculty and to support scholarships for future healthcare
professionals.

“This gift is one of the greatest tributes of my career. Knowing
that former students would choose to recognize me while we’re still in the
trenches together is an enormous honor.” — Dr. Carl DeRosa